D7000 underexposure problem...need help: In manual mode, my D7000 consistently underexposes by -7EV. Both the exposure meter in the view finder, and LED confirm correct expose when I...

coondog Loc: Lost in Vermont

In manual mode, my D7000 consistently underexposes by -7EV. Both the exposure meter in the view finder, and LED confirm correct expose when I take the shot, but it's underexposed when downloaded. While trying to figure this out, I shot in auto to compare. In auto...perfect exposure!
Any thoughts on this...or is it the camera (still under warranty). Thanks..

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

First of all I would not immediately blame the camera as I doubt it

If you have not used a meter before that could explain it

http://photographylife.com/understanding-metering-modes

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/guide-to-using-a-hand-held-light-meter-4748

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-metering.htm

Google more

susie-q-tip Loc: Mississippi/Texas

coondog wrote:

In manual mode, my D7000 consistently underexposes by -7EV. Both the exposure meter in the view finder, and LED confirm correct expose when I take the shot, but it's underexposed when downloaded. While trying to figure this out, I shot in auto to compare. In auto...perfect exposure!
Any thoughts on this...or is it the camera (still under warranty). Thanks..

I have a Nikon 5100 and found that my manual shots were underexposed by -5. I had never set it to that. However, when I found how to change the ev settings I also found that for some reason it had been set to -5. Once I changed it to 0 it didn't happen again.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

That was what I was thinking too

Look in the manual for EV (exposure Value) adjustment

I have three D7000s now and they are all spot on

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D7000/D7000A5.HTM

GOOGLE is a good thing,

coondog Loc: Lost in Vermont

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm familiar with DSLR meters and have never had this problem before. What baffles me is that it's constantly -7EV, and then perfect (in auto mode) for the same exact shot!

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

It may have been helpful had you included an image. It may be simple subject failure, or you may be doing something wrong. It's hard to tell without an example.
I hope you meant -.7EV rather than -7EV!
BTW...when you go to auto does that mean your also going with auto ISO?

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

coondog wrote:

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm familiar with DSLR meters and have never had this problem before. What baffles me is that it's constantly -7EV, and then perfect (in auto mode) for the same exact shot!

Are you metering from the right area in the shot and with the correct meter settings, spot/average etc, not aiming the camera at light areas only or too much sky!

coondog Loc: Lost in Vermont

Danilo wrote:

It may have been helpful had you included an image. It may be simple subject failure, or you may be doing something wrong. It's hard to tell without an example.
I hope you meant -.7EV rather than -7EV!
BTW...when you go to auto does that mean your also going with auto ISO?

Here are two of the same shots I took yesterday. Auto is full 'auto'..which I never shoot in, but for this problem I'm using it as a control. Yup...-.7EV.

-.7EV manual mode

correct exposure auto mode

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

In my opinion your camera is fine (apart from auto horizon levelling not working :) )

You just need to learn to meter, I would meter again but from here

When out meter from the back of your hand, hold the camera and hand as far apart as possible to include it all and don't shade the hand

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Did you check the EV button. I know others have pointed this out. It does not work on auto or the icon modes. so the exposure would be ok in Auto. You may want top try the P mode the EV works in it. Dave I know on my D90 that sometimes it seems to set itself.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

If in manual mode you are either changing f/stop or shutter speed to get even exposure if your at a fixed ISO. You can still have your Exposure Compensation set to -.7 But have adjusted your settings till the meter looks good, but when you take the shot you are -.7. Press the exposure compensation button, turn back dial until you have a 0.0 Fast way to check, press the info button back of camera, when the screen lights up, press your exposure compensation button, top right side behind the shutter button. In the top center of back screen, your exposure numbers will appear 0.0 if not adjust.

coondog wrote:

In manual mode, my D7000 consistently underexposes by -7EV. Both the exposure meter in the view finder, and LED confirm correct expose when I take the shot, but it's underexposed when downloaded. While trying to figure this out, I shot in auto to compare. In auto...perfect exposure!
Any thoughts on this...or is it the camera (still under warranty). Thanks..

lightchime Loc: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

It is nice to blame the camera and it may be at fault. I think JR1's message is that you are metering too much of the sky and its brightness is trying to decrease the exposure.

If you look at your two images, the composition will be seen to be slightly different. That means that if you are metering in the same mode, you may not be metering the same thing.

JR1 is a knowledgeable person and I think he is right on. As a spectator in this discussion, it is a pleasure to have his opinion.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

lightchime wrote:

It is nice to blame the camera and it may be at fa... (show quote)

Like many of my generation I was brought up on and still use hand held meters. People need to learn to use meters.

1. Metering should be aiming to exclude most of the sky and or sand/snow where this is not possible use a grey card or the back of your hand.

2. Use an invercone/diffuser on a hand held meter or get one for your DSLR and take an incident reading almost always 100% accurate.

3. Use multi spot readings for difficult subjects, or partial metering which should be the centre portion of the screen

http://christopherodonnellphotography.com/light-metering-for-landscapes/

THIS is GOOD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpZVPSRSf6U

coondog Loc: Lost in Vermont

That's it! Somewhere along the line I must have inadvertently set the exposure compensation to -.7. I reset it to zero, and all is well. Thanks.

fstop22 wrote:

If in manual mode you are either changing f/stop o... (show quote)

coondog Loc: Lost in Vermont

Thanks everyone for the help. I'm new to the D7000 (1 month)..still alot to learn about it, but learning quick. That's why they call me Coondog...I stick with something until I get it.
JR1..thanks so much for your advice. You opened up my eyes to the importance of proper metering...which I'll now study in depth.